Chris Butcher

Adult learning deserves better: a Pre-24 not Post-16 Education White Paper.

In a 38,910 word document, adults are mentioned just 0.13%.

Read WEA CEO @SimonParkinson6 full response here:

bit.ly/4oBgdKV

It's good to see the response promote the free courses for adults and particularly the reference to Tailored Learning. TL is a part of skills funding which focuses on building confidence but it's often overlooked. We hope the forthcoming post-16 White Paper will be as positive about it.

New @learnworkuk.bsky.social report out today. Thanks @feweek.bsky.social for great article on it. Full thread from me tomorrow, delayed by today’s L&W away day (there was truffle making).

he first fringe session of the day sees
@andrewcities.bsky.social
CEO of @centreforcities.bsky.social in conversation with Mayor Paul Bristow of Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority #CPC25

We're at the Centre for Policy Research fringe on men and boys, with @mimsdavies.bsky.social shadow minister for women and @drlukeevans.org.uk shadow health minister. @conservatives.bsky.social #CPC25

Now at the @smfthinktank.bsky.social livestream on health inequality: Professor Arpana Verma speaking on the importance of listening to communities and supporting hyper local organisations when tackling health inequalities. Dr @beckymontacute.bsky.social in the chair. #CPC25

New Statesman session on cross sector collaboration to address mental health crisis. Emphasis on strengthening communities and building the capacity of voluntary sector as trusted agencies. @debbieabrahamsmp.bsky.social @sojanjosephmp.bsky.social @newstatesman.bsky.social #Lab25

"We wholeheartedly welcome the Prime Minister’s remarks this afternoon calling out rising racism in the UK. And it’s exciting to see Further Education finally recognised as central to the UK’s economic growth and skills agenda." read more: bit.ly/4pPcYAQ #lab25

@local.gov.uk session about the importance of resetting relationship between central and local government. Key is breaking down departmental silos and increasing flexibility - local people shouldn't be constrained by administrative boundaries. @allymcgovern.bsky.social #LAB25

Adult learning can help rebuild community and resist hate Far-right narratives thrive in disconnected communities but adult learning fosters a sense of belonging

In case you missed it:

"Adult education... is rooted in local communities and designed to build trust, openness and purpose... they’re meeting people they might not otherwise cross paths with."

feweek.co.uk/adult-learni...

Read our response to @patmcfaddenmp.bsky.social writing in @feweek.bsky.social about adult skills moving to DWP. The WEA welcomes a more integrated approach, but fear many adult learners will still lose out Full response and a link to the FE Week in our bio. bit.ly/4msr8F4

Really liked the report and got me thinking how a more effective Levy (and one that supported all levels progressing into work) could take the pressure off the Adult Skills Fund and free up funding for adult courses supporting health & wellbeing

Levying up | Fabian Society Fabian Society

To find out how to reform the levy and unlock opportunity & growth, read levying up here fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Thanks to Youth Futures Foundation & @cipd.bsky.social for supporting the research.

Keeping it local | WEA Keeping it local

A few thoughts from me on how adult education policy needs to get more local
#lifelonglearning
#local

A new report from the Communications & Digital Committee recognises the challenge of raising adult media literacy levels. Read our response to the report at wea.org.uk/news-views/n... and read the full report at publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...

WEA responds to The State of Us report | WEA WEA responds to The State of Us report addressing division across UK

Read our response to the British Future & Belong Network report, The State of Us, which includes evidence from the WEA to support the connection between adult learning and stronger communities bit.ly/3GPeCAD

It was an excellent launch, am looking forward to reading the book in full. Great to hear Baroness Armstrong talking about focus on neighbourhoods especially.

The Spending Review – Cuts ahead unless we act | WEA The Spending Review – Cuts ahead unless we act

Some thoughts from me on the perilous position adult education finds itself in after being overlooked in the Spending Review

All eyes now on the post-16 strategy to recognise the real value of lifelong learning

#spendingreview
#adulteducation
#lifelonglearning

The WEA impact: our Impact Report | WEA Discover the positive impact that the WEA has made through innovative and effective educational programs.

The WEA Impact Report was published earlier this week showing how adult learning contributes to improved mental health & wellbeing, progression into work and more resilient communities. Adult learning was largely overlooked in the Spending Review but surely impact like this is worth investing in.

The stage set and backdrop for WEA conference 2025 Shaping Tomorrow Together

All looking good and preparing for start
#lifelonglearning

WEA conference poster with five images of WEA learners inside a diamond-shaped image frame

⏰ Not long to go until our annual WEA conference✨ For those of you attending tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming you. If you aren't able to make it in person? You can still join us online, by following the link here: thewea.info/conferenceon...

Great to see Marmalade Trust tackling the stigma of loneliness for #LonelinessAwarenessWeek. It's not easy to make connections but we've been struck by the stat in the new WEA survey that 86% of learners made new friends. It's vital to create opportunities and safe spaces.
#MeetingLonelinessTogether

WEA learners talk about improvements in mental health, progression into work and building resilient communities. Taken together it makes a powerful case for improving investment.
#SpendingReview
#LifelongLearning

Parliamentlive.tv Education Committee

"When you look to nations across the world, they're all putting more money into adult education. And we're not"

Excellent contributions from Sue Pember of @holexpolicy.bsky.social and others at the Education Select Committee. Let's hope Parliamentarians are listening ahead of the #SpendingReview

Why unions need to fight for adult education | WEA Why do unions need to fight for adult education? Gavin McCann has a few reasons.

Excellent new guest blog from Gavin McCann of UNISON on the WEA website. www.wea.org.uk/unions-adult...

UNISON has always been at the forefront of the campaign to support Lifelong Learning. Tomorrow afternoon, The Learning & Work Institute and the WEA will look at how UNISON can continue to support adult education.

Join the free event tomorrow: thewea.info/4m90Ybr

Future of public libraries There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries at 9:30am on 14 May 2025. The debate will be opened by Jonathan Davies MP.

Good to see @jonathandaviesmp.bsky.social calling a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries. Libraries and community adult education go hand in hand and both need new investment. Looking forward to hearing more - debate starts at 9.30am on Wednesday 14 May.
#LibrariesChangeLives

Ask your MP to take part in Wednesday's debate on public libraries - we can share a template letter for you, a briefing for them commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri... #LibrariesChangeLives

ICYMI - summary of the recent meeting of the APPG on the Future of Work at which WEA Chief Exec @simonparkinson.bsky.social spoke

Baroness Smith and Dame Ann Limb at Lifelong Education Institute conference

Baroness Smith describes 6% cut to Adult Skills Fund as "relatively small" but will continue to "make the case". We know the dire impact it will have on adult learners so making the case feels especially urgent.